The second generation of the Chevy Camaro debuted in 1970 and would enjoy an incredible 12-year run. The Z28 would morph from its SCCA roots to come with a Corvette-based LT1 350 V8 that produced a neck-breaking 360 hp with 380 ft/lbs. of torque. This ’70 Z28 has been restored across its last two owners and has the highly desirable M-22 “Rock Crusher” close-ratio 4-speed transmission. Located in Angola, Indiana, this well-documented Camaro is available here on craigslist for $59,000 OBO. Our thanks to Barn Finder Pat L. for bringing this well-done muscle car to our attention!
Though some folks thought of the first-gen Camaro’s as a hasty response to the highly successful Ford Mustang, the car would come of its own by 1970. Due to production delays in readying the new auto (and its Pontiac cousin, the Firebird), production didn’t get underway until mid-way into the model year. This caused some to think of it as a ’70 ½ model, being they were all titled as ‘70s. Those delays resulted in production being half of the year before at just under 125,000 units.
The new Camaro’s would be longer, wider, lower, and had a wider track than their predecessors, but rode on the same 108-inch wheelbase. The Z28 got a huge boost in 1970, going from a temperamental 302 V8 to a Corvette-powered 350 that produced more than one horse per cubic inch. The cars came with a 12-bolt rear axle with a tuned suspension and – although 8,733 Z28s were built for 1970 – just 1,133 were produced with the “Rock Crusher” manual tranny. The seller’s Z28 is perhaps the most detailed car I’ve seen presented to Barn Finds for review, but the photography is a bit weak.
As the story goes, the seller picked up this ’70 Camaro from an owner that had been in the process of restoring it for more than a decade. Said owner had a major event occur that prevented him from completing the project, so the seller moved forward with it. In just a matter of months, a great deal of work has been done (and dollars expended) to get the automobile to where it is today. Records from the prior owner plus research conducted by the seller have validated this car as a real deal ’70 Z28.
The Chevy was first sold by a dealer in Wisconsin, so it may have stayed in that state until this Indiana resident acquired the car. The seller provides a lengthy list of numbers that are stamped on various components, so the short answer is the car appears to be numbers matching except for a few parts that are period correct. The seller had the engine rebuilt and rebalanced, one that was referred to be Zora Arkus-Duntov as “the mouse that roared.”
Once painted green, the car’s prior owner took care of the bodywork and paint (once again the correct Code 71 Daytona Yellow). A bunch of new sheet metal was part of that work, including the rear quarter panels. The Z28 wheels have been refurbished and the seller installed a new fuel tank. The list of things done to this car just goes on and on. The seller acknowledges there may be a better restoration out there somewhere, but at a higher price than what he’s asking for this car. Given the population of other vintage machines in his garage, the seller clearly has a “thing” for Camaros!
It’s a nice car, but that ad is unreadable.
Steve R
Paragraphs are your friend. At least it wasn’t all caps.
I can’t believe he didn’t mention what he gapped the rings to, how many cc’s each chamber measured, or what the tread depth is on each tire.
I got mine, identically equipped (except for the spoilers) in late Feb 1970. It was citrus green. I kept the small rear spoiler but added the full front spoiler. It was aa fun car.
This one appears to be a prime example.
The hood stripes are off center. I’m out.
Yes,very nice. But the rear spolier smaller I thought was correct one for 70 1/2. I did a 73split bumper with the smaller rear spoiler and z-28 wheels and it looked great
The small, one piece spoiler was standard on all 70 Z28’s, but to make it legal for Trans Am racing, the larger 3 piece rear spoiler became available around the end of April, 1970. Supposedly about 500 (the number required by the SCCA to make it legal) 1970 Z28’s were built with the large spoiler. I don’t believe the large spoiler ever got an option code in 70, but instead was only available as a COPO order.
I didn’t bother reading the seller’s never ending paragraph, but I did skim over it and saw where it was built in July 70, so it’s possible this car came with the larger spoiler. This car has a front spoiler, which did not become available until 71, which makes me wonder if the large rear spoiler’s original to this car, or has been added too.
Most folks interested in this car really don’t need to read everything in his ad. No idea why the owner felt a novel was needed. I prefer the RS front , but still a nice car.
Boy prices on these have climbed. One of my best college friends bought a rusty real 70 Z RS from the original owner. 4 speed. Small rear spoiler. Never wrecked but plenty of rust from 9 years of winter driving in State College, PA. My friend paid $1,800 for it. In 1979, all GM sheet metal was available. He got new quarters and inner quarters. He kept it until 2006. Sold it for $34,000. A no excuse car with its born with driveline. This seller certainly hyped his car and it was a long read.
This engine makes the car a beast, the m22 singing is a beautiful thing. The only bad part of my 6-71 was that i could no longer hear the M22, of course i did have other beautiful music to listen to. Cant say enough about the simplicity, durability, reliability of what is/was peak year lt1(1970). Look Ma no computer, no sensor, No ****!
Car is on eBay for 50k
G I thought I was reading war and peace .and yes the strips are off center
we painted a few strips before it take time to get them right the car is worth about 35k
Question for Barnfind friends :
Whats the better car in 1970 ?
Mustang Boss 302 4spd
Z28 350 4spd
Price has dropped 10K already.
I have many questions on this car.
Having owned and loved a 70 1/2 RS looking at this z has me wondering about a few items.
First someone mentioned front and rear spoilers being on this car, where clearly in the front end photo the car is sans spoiler.
From the rear the bumper shows little verticals and my 70 1/2 RS didn’t have those. Is that a later model bumper? I see those on the front bumper as well, but mine had the rubber mouth and bumperettes (a far superior aesthetic) so I don’t know if those verts were from 70?
Is that stuck shift stock? And without the console those buckets look odd?
Also and it’s hard to tell but wouldn’t that steering wheel have a Z28 badge on it? This one just looks like a circle to me???
Hopefully the Camaro geeks will opine on some of the particulars.
Maybe this is a 71 car? Or maybe just a frankencar?
Look closer as there is a black front splitter/spoiler. My 70 1/2 had the little bumper ‘verticals’ front and rear. I had the full front bumper (a far superior aesthetic). The steering wheel looks right with a bowtie in the middle. Mine had a wood grain center. the seat upholstery looks off but it may just be the photos. I think the ’71 seats were high back. The tailpipes are not original.
Go back and look at the picture of the front of the car. It’s a little hard to see, but the car absolutely does have a front spoiler, which it shouldn’t. Light can be seen reflecting off of the spoiler, just below and to the left of the right parking light, and just below and left of the center of the grill opening.
The front and rear bumperettes were included on all 70 Z28’s as part of the Z28 package. They were optional on other Camaros, in the Deluxe Bumpers package.
It looks like the correct 70 Camaro shifter to me, with the “T” release handle for the reverse lock out.
That is the correct steering wheel with the gold “Bow Tie” emblem in the center. If it had the Custom Interior, both the steering wheel, and dash cluster, would have wood grain inserts.
It is a 70 Z28, not a 71 or a “frankencar”. The low back seats are correct for 70 only. CTB is the engine code for a 70 Z, a 71 would be CGY or CGZ. The trim tag identifies the car as a 70, Daytona Yellow, black standard interior Z28, and the VIN stamped on the block and trans identify the car as a 70.
Is that driver’s seat bottom cushion vinyl upholstery stock?
Is the center section of the rear spoiler identical to the firebird’s?
It’s a little hard to see in the pictures, but those simple, vinyl seat covers were what came in all 70 Camaros, as part of the standard interior. The optional, Custom Interior came with nicer seat covers with a more ornate pattern. By comparison, the standard seat covers had a real “taxi cab” plain look to them.
I believe the center section of the Camaro 3 piece spoiler is shared with the Trans Am.
My buddy is restoring a real 70- 1/2 Z-28, the tin worm 🐛 got to these bad and because of the mid year Union strike parts are rare for the LT-1 motor which was 370 HP in the corvette.
I would think part of the HP increase is because the Vette did not have the Camaro’s heavy single sideways muffler, & also had exhaust pipes that were a lot straighter in back that did not loop over a live axle, like the Camaro’s had to, not to mention the Camaro’s having to take 90 degree turns into & out out of a sideways muffler.
If this guy talks the way he writes an ad, I would not want to have a conversation with him lol.
Sharp car, but I learned a lot from you folks and I question the authenticity of the restoration. Nice car none the less.
If Howard A is paying attention, where was Pat Long Chevrolet?